Ramsey’s Burgers opens in Martin City

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Ramsey’s Burgers opens to enthusiastic crowd

By Jill Draper

Ramsey’s Burgers planned a quiet, soft opening for the first Saturday in May, but that’s not what happened. Right away cars lined up in the drive-thru lane at 13109 Holmes Road just south of Blue Ridge Boulevard.

On Sunday they ran out of fries, and by Monday afternoon they were out of nearly everything—meat, buns and even pickles. But after requesting a special off-day food delivery, they were ready to go for dinner orders.

Rick Ramsey and Penny Romero, owners of Ramsey’s Burgers and the neighboring Martin City Coffee. Photo by Jill Draper

“Oh, my gosh! We didn’t expect this,” said Penny Romero, who co-owns the new burger shop and the adjacent Martin City Coffee with Rick Ramsey. “From the moment we served the first customer, the line was never-ending. People kept coming and coming.”

Romero said the business is running more smoothly now, and two kitchen staff employees are able to rotate between the burger and coffee shops to help during peak demand times. Cheeseburgers are the most popular item, but the menu also includes a panko-breaded chicken sandwich, gluten-free chicken nuggets and a vegan Impossible burger. Single burgers start at $6, and adding fries and a 16-oz. drink is an extra $3.50.

Ramsey’s double cheeseburger with fries and a cookie and cream shake. Photo by Kady Weddle

Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. At present only the drive-thru is open, but eventually they will take call-in orders. The building has 34 seats inside and two picnic tables outside, and a grand opening is planned for late May.

Ramsey, who runs Affordable Plumbing & Sewer, always wanted a hamburger place, and he realized there was enough room to build one on his existing property, Romero said.